He began his remarks by thanking the men in blue for the role they’ve played in the sharp reduction in violent crime throughout the last 20 years. “This country is safer because of your efforts”. The anti-police brutality protesters were demanding greater community input on law enforcement reforms.
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But Obama said he doesn’t believe those measures alone are enough. “That’s part of wearing the badge”, said Mr. Obama, drawing applause from the crowd.
The “us versus them” mentality between police and communities that Obama said are often embellished by by cable news outlets and politicians who want attention should be rejected, as well, the president added. Among those problems, he cited unemployment, inadequate drug treatment, poor education and lax gun laws. He said, “It is easier to find a gun that it is to find a few fresh vegetables”.
In Evanston, two of this year’s three gun-related homicides occurred about two weeks apart, prompting concern in the community over violence in the city.
“For those who do break the law”, Obama said, “we should take another hard look at whether in all circumstances the punishment fits the crime”. “The countless incidents of effective police work rarely make it on the evening news, so it’s important for us not to just pounce and jump on anything that happens and immediately draw conclusions”.
Speakers with the National Law Enforcement Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence threw their full support behind stronger background checks and questioned why political leaders aren’t also in support.
President Obama, Hillary Clinton, and their anti-liberty allies keep shrieking about a “gun violence epidemic” that simply does not exist.
Obama didn’t specifically reference Comey’s comments but his remarks come the same day that another video of a police action is going viral.
“I think everybody understands all lives matter”. He said the movement has raised issues of police brutality and racial bias in law enforcement that must be addressed.
Before Obama’s speech, the White House released a report on police tactics that advises the use of “community policing” to heal the growing rift between minorities and officers. “That’s why your job is unsafe”, he told the police chiefs.
Acknowledging the power of the gun lobby and the reluctance of Congress to enact stricter gun laws, the police chiefs told a news conference they were not anti-gun but wanted to keep weapons out of the hands of people with criminal backgrounds.
“We can’t expect you to contain and control problems that the rest of us aren’t willing to face or do anything about”, Obama said.
‘And he’s probably hopeful it will boost his ratings in the Republican presidential primary, ‘ he noted. The group led the protest on Saturday when 66 people were arrested.
The president also indicated that conservative media are whipping up fear of gun control. In Chicago for example, most convicted of gun crimes serve less than half their sentences. That year, city police recorded 500 murders.
While state lawmakers were quick to rebuke the President’s claims, a study by Chicago authorities found that from 2009-2013, 60 percent of guns recovered in crimes in Chicago came from out of state, with 19 percent coming from Indiana.
Gun control, one of the most significant pending issues of the government, was stressed in today’s speech.
“It’s time more folks in Washington started to value our cops, not just give lip service to them”, he said. “There are a lot of African Americans who have that same kind of story”.
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After the act of kindness inspired others, and soon the woman’s house was filled with groceries. “We’re telling you what needs to be done”. He said it provided a list of recommendations and helped build trust between police and community – even former protesters.
